Verbier, the legendary playground for alpine backcountry skiing
Perched on a sunny plateau at an elevation of 4,900 feet (1,500 meters), the ski resort of Verbier opens up access to the Quatre Vallées region, one of the largest ski areas in Switzerland. At the summit, Mont-Fort peaks at 10,800 feet (3,300 meters) and unfolds a panorama of the Combins massif, the Matterhorn, and Mont Blanc.
Why visit Verbier
Verbier has built a reputation that reaches far beyond Swiss borders as a premier playground for demanding backcountry skiers. Every year, the resort hosts the Xtreme de Verbier, a freeride competition held on the steep slopes of the Bec des Rosses since 1996. This status draws an international crowd looking for vertical drops that few other alpine resorts can match.
Skiing and backcountry in the Quatre Vallées
The ski area offers 255 miles (410 kilometers) of slopes, complemented by seven marked, un-groomed itineraries reserved for seasoned skiers. Among the trails that built the region's legendary status are Mont-Gelé, the Mur de Chassoure, and the Col des Mines.
On the southern slope, the Savoleyres gondola provides access to a different, much more approachable side of the resort.
The Quatre Vallées region also houses Europe's highest zipline. It starts from the peak of Mont-Fort and flies over the Tortin glacier down to the Col des Gentianes, covering a vertical drop of 1,250 feet (383 meters) along nearly a mile and a half of cable.
A resort that also caters to families
A winter camp for kids and teens
Operating in Verbier since 1987, a winter camp for children and teenagers run by Les Elfes hosts boarding students aged 6 to 17 from mid-December to late April. Stays range from one to four weeks, with arrivals every Saturday.
The schedule features six hours of skiing or snowboarding per day in groups of no more than seven students per instructor, lunch at a private restaurant at 7,200 feet (2,200 meters), optional language classes, weekly excursions, and 24-hour supervision.
Cross-country skiing and sledding
Verbier is not all about extreme skiing. The resort offers snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails that are much more accessible for beginners. At La Tzoumaz, the longest sledding run in French-speaking Switzerland spans 6 miles (10 kilometers) of descent with about 2,300 feet (700 meters) of vertical drop.
Best suited for
- Advanced skiers looking for backcountry terrain and massive vertical drops
- Families searching for gentle activities like sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing
- Thrill-seekers wanting to ride the Mont-Fort zipline
Less suited for
- Absolute beginners, as the area is primarily famous for its technical itineraries
Local tip: to access the slopes, two main starting points are available: Médran or the Mayentset chairlift. On the southern slope, choose the Savoleyres gondola. Lifts generally run between 8:45 AM and 5:00 PM depending on their location, and the resort opens annually from November to April.
Opening hours
Verbier has an extended operating season, running every year from November through April. Depending on where you are on the mountain, Verbier lifts typically operate between 8:45 AM and 5:00 PM.
How long for this activity
Plan on spending a full day to explore the ski area, or even several days if you want to cover all of the 4 Vallées.
Lots of runs for all skill levels, plenty of possibilities for off-piste and freeriding, and tons of activities for adults and kids alike (sledding, snowshoeing, ice karting, swimming pool). There are bars and restaurants to go out and enjoy the mountain vibe in normal times (when there is no nasty virus bothering us).
To top it all off, there are some very pretty views of the 4 Vallées area and the Alps.
The top of the slopes is at over 3,300m in altitude, so expect some athletic first days while you take the time to adjust.